From its beginnings as a small ironworking shop to its evolution into a strong supplier in specialty access solutions, BILCO is celebrating a century defined by innovation, engineering excellence and enduring craftsmanship.

Founded in 1926, BILCO’s first 100 years include milestones that helped shape the access products industry, beginning with the invention of the first metal basement door and continuing through decades of product diversification and technical advancement. As the company enters its second century, BILCO is poised for renewed growth, modernization and expanded market reach under the ownership of Quanex, which acquired the company in 2024.

Based in New Haven, Conn., BILCO will continue to build on its legacy as Quanex reinforces its position as a high-performing, innovative leader setting the standard for quality, reliability and responsiveness in access solutions.

“Our ability to deliver safe, engineered access solutions for both roof and underground applications, in a wide range of sizes, has enabled us to continually expand and diversify our product portfolio,” said Mike Toohey, BILCO’s general manager since 2017. “Adapting to market needs and developing products others were not offering has always been the foundation of our success.”

George W. Lyons founded the company crafting custom wrought-iron products, a path that led to the patented metal basement door introduced a decade later. That innovation became BILCO’s signature product and the cornerstone of long-term growth. Following World War II, the company expanded into roof hatches and commercial access solutions, maintaining a steady focus on innovation that produced industry-first products such as acoustically rated smoke vents, thermally broken roof hatches and flood-tight floor access doors.

On the residential side, BILCO launched mass production of basement doors and expanded its offerings to include window wells and related basement access products.

“The lifting mechanisms we’ve engineered over the years to ensure smooth, safe and easy operation have truly defined BILCO’s success,” Toohey said. “That commitment to safety and performance is what sets us apart.”

Lyons successfully guided the company through the Great Depression, and following World War II, his four sons joined the business. Family ownership continued for 90 years as BILCO expanded its manufacturing footprint to include facilities in Trumann, Ark.; Zanesville, Ohio; and Juarez, Mexico. Today, the company employs nearly 300 people.

BILCO’s integration into Quanex, a publicly traded manufacturer serving OEMs in the construction and related industries, signals a strong future for the century-old brand.

“We are building the infrastructure and culture needed to accelerate innovation on a consistent basis,” said Peter Santo, president of Quanex Access Solutions. “By strengthening engineering processes and clarifying the path for new product development, we’re enabling ideas to reach customers faster while expanding market presence, deepening partnerships and creating a more resilient, efficient operation.”

As part of the Quanex Access Solutions Division, BILCO remains grounded in its core principles while embracing the scale and opportunity of a larger organization.

“BILCO is entering a period of sustained, confident growth,” Santo added. “Over the next decade, the company has the opportunity to become not only larger, but more agile, modern and customer-centric, while continuing to set the benchmark for innovation, safety and engineering excellence.”